Several Higher and Degree apprenticeships offer routes into careers that are rich in maths, including accountancy, actuarial science, architecture, engineering and data science.

Choosing a maths degree

If you enjoy maths you might like to consider taking a degree in it. This guidance, produced by the legacy FMSP, will give you an idea of the typical content of the first year of an undergraduate degree course.

Maths can be studied as a single subject BSc honours degree or as a combined/joint honours degree with another subject. Some courses include an optional work placement year to gain experience in industry, and some include the option to study abroad. Maths can also be studied as an MMath degree - a four-year degree in which the final year is at masters level.

How will the course be delivered? How much is by lectures, and how much by seminars, tutorials and additional classes?

What extra support will be available?

There’s lot of information on the universities’ websites, but try to also go to university open days. These provide the opportunity to find out more by talking to the staff, as well as getting a feel for the university itself. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has lots information on open days, virtual tours and exhibitions.

Maths in other degrees

Degrees other than Mathematics can also involve studying maths at a high level. If you would like to get a feel for the kind of maths they involve, take a look at the guidance produced by the legacy FMSP:

Personal statements

As part of the application process you'll need to prepare a personal statement. If you are applying for a maths degree, it's important to convey your enjoyment and interest in the subject. A good way to do this is to focus on some of the Further Mathematics topics that you particularly enjoyed learning. If you’ve been taught Further Mathematics on a reduced timetable, or have self-studied, explain how you’ve managed your studies – this will also demonstrate your enthusiasm.

Admissions tests

If you are applying to a top university, you may need to take a university admission test. If so, there's information to help you on our STEP/MAT/TMUA and CSAT/TSA pages.

Interviews

Most offers for maths degree courses are made without an interview, but some Russell Group universities interview applicants:

University of Cambridge

Each college has its own particular approach which can be found in the Cambridge University Guide to Admissions in Mathematics. There's normally at least one mathematical interview (often two or three) of around 20-30 minutes. Sometimes the interview is based on previously prepared material or on work done under examination conditions just before the interview. Some additional general guidance can be found on the Interviews page. A video of a typical interview is also available.

University of Manchester

After considering applications, many applicants are invited to a Visit Day, which includes a tour and an interview with an academic member of staff which helps determine the conditional offer made.

The University of Oxford

Interviews occur over a three day period in December. They are mainly of a mathematical nature and last around 25 minutes. The aim is for tutors to see how you think when you do maths, and you may be asked to work at the board and talk through your thought processes. You can find a detailed overview of the maths interview process here, together with advice on how to prepare. There's also lots of general interview advice, videos of tutors, including extracts of interviews of potential students, and an Interviews Guide for Students. This video provides some general tips from admissions tutors.

The University of York

All students who are made an offer are invited to attend a Visit Day between November and April, which includes a one-to-one chat with a member of academic staff. The interview may lead to an offer reduced by one A level grade or equivalent.

If you are invited to an interview, you may it useful to read the general advice on preparing for interviews from NRICH. The legacy FMSP produced some examples of typical mathematical and general interview questions, and suggestions for wider reading that will help you demonstrate your interest in maths.

Preparing for a mathematically-rich university course or apprenticeship

Whether you intend to go straight to university after Year 13, or take a gap year, preparing will help you to feel more confident and get you off to a good start. Here are some suggestions:

Activities

Explore the topics likely to be covered in the first year. The legacy FMSP produced an example of a typical first year undergraduate module outline, with accompanying resources.

Try the questions in the University of Cambridge's pre-course workbook.

Suggested reading

How to Study for a Mathematics Degree by Lara Alcock (ISBN 978-0-19-966132-9) explains what to expect at university and offers useful study advice.

Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction by Timothy Gowers (ISBN 978-0192853615) explains the differences between advanced maths and the maths learned at school.

Number: A Very Short Introduction by Peter M. Higgins (ISBN 978-0199584055) provides a comprehensive view of the idea of the number

Popular mathematics books by authors such as Simon Singh and Ian Stewart.